Yesterday, the US Senate passed an omnibus spending bill to keep the government afloat for the rest of the budget year. That was $410 billion of spending and included in that bill is a “measly” $8 billion in earmarks, otherwise known as pork. President Obama has stated that he will sign the bill, even though his campaign promise was to eliminate pork. Democrats, Republicans, and even Ron Paul, have this bill filled up with pet projects and are bring home the bacon to their respective districts. The President claims that he should be given a pass on this particular spending bill because it was “inherited” from the previous regime. While I’m inclined to swallow that load of horse poop, and give him the pass he says he needs… I’m curious. We have a Democrat controlled legislature and presidency. If the campaign promise was truly important, couldn’t the President just dump it back in the Senate’s lap and say “do it right”?

Apparently, he doesn’t want to do that just yet. Here’s the deal… White House officials said Obama will sign the bill to keep key government agencies funded, but the president will lay out the new guidelines on earmarks as a not-so-subtle threat that he could veto future spending bills that do not comply with his objectives. “Could”? Why not “will”? I already know the answer to that. Top Democrats, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland, have suggested lawmakers do not appreciate being dictated to on an issue that is a congressional prerogative. Asked last week about the administration’s plan to put forth guidelines to overhaul earmarks, Hoyer said flatly, “I don’t think the White House has the ability to tell us what to do.”

In other words, nothing is really going to change. Just like any other politician, Obama is not going to be able to keep his promise to the voting public and he will blame others for this inability.

There’s nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now the parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
No, no!